The Straits Chinese (Baba and Nyonya)

- Peranakan,Baba-Nyonya, Peranakan, Straits Chinese are terms related to the culture of the early Chinese immigrants to Malaya in the early nineteenth century.

-The women are known as " Nyonyas " and the men " Babas ".

- The Straits Chinese culture is neither Chinese nor Malay but rather a curious blend of influences derived from both these cultures which include customs, traditions, arts and crafts, cuisine and diet.

- The traditional Baba-Nyonyas speak a language known as "Baba Malay", a mixture of Malay and Hokkien dialects and members of the older generation still use it in their daily lives today.

- Most of the Peranakan are retained the ancestral worship tradition of the Chinese, especially of their wedding ceremony is largely based upon the Chinese tradition.

Nyonya Ceramics

-This set of ceramic untensils was used by the Straits Chinese called Babas and Nyonyas from the 18^th century in Malacca, Penang and Singapore.

-Straits Chinese ceramics are very easily recognized by their distinctive colours.

The items on display are:

1.

Costumes

-Nyonya’s clothing was identical to that of the native Malay’s: ‘baju panjang’ , batik sarung and kerongsang

-This fine and delicate pair of beaded shoe ‘ kasut manek’

Food

- Nyonya cuisine is an exotic art itself, fusing the distinctive tradition, spices and herbs and culinary skills of the Chinese and Malay.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peranakan

http://www.kebayas.com/peranakan.html

http://www.hotwok.com.my/nyonyafood.html

http://www.jonker88.com/?q=history_of_nyonya_baba

http://ladyjaynee.edu.glogster.com/culture-baba-nyonya/

http://www.zoom2see.com/2009/11/peranakan-baba-nyonya-heritage-and.html

http://museumvolunteersmalaysia.org/2010/10/18/baba-nyonya-wedding/